PowerBook G5
The new PowerBooks are to be shown at Jobs keynote on 6th June at WWDC. Currently at Dual Core 867MHz G5, they are expected to be released at 1GHz, 1.2GHz and 1.5GHz Dual Core G5. They currently are 1.7" thick with a large G5 type grill on the bottom to increase airflow into the unit. There is a secondary shield inside, to prevent particles from entering the inside system board. The new PowerBooks will only be released in 15" and 17" sizes. The 12" PowerBook will be replaced by a souped up iBook.
Update: Due to engineering problems within Apple, they will now not be showcasing the PowerBooks. Currently, the "Hardware Engineering" team has only managed a 867MHz Dual Core G5, which is slower than the current top of the line 1.64GHz G4. Also the battery life is roughly only at 1hr 45 minutes. Next dates now, point to MacWorld 2006.
iBook G4
Expected to include a return to colors, the new iBooks are set to be the funnest and fasted yet. Soon to be available in 12", 14" and a new widescreen 15" display. The iBooks will take the specs of the late PowerBook G4 line, and include 1.5 and 1.64GHz G4 processors. They (may) be unvieled at WWDC, but more likely at the Paris Expo, in time to ship for the back-to-school term. The new cases haven't been 100% chosen upon yet, as Apple is devoting 99% of their time to the new PowerBooks. They may be released as a translucent case, with white accents. Bluetooth 2.0 and Airport Extreme will feature in all iBooks.
Special Edition Laptops
Apple may release "All Black" versions of the new iBook and PowerBook line. They will be bundled with the U2 iPod and a new "Tiger" protective sleeve.
iTunes 5
To be released soon with the new iPods, iTunes 5 represents a major stepping stone for Apple. Featuring a new Music Store which will support new international stores and a new "Maintenance Agreement". Pay $2.99 (to-be determined) a month, and if you accidently delete a song you purchased from iTunes, you can re-download it. The delay in iTunes 4.8/5 is due to both the iPhone being late, and also a few problems with record companies in the new international stores.
Mac OS 10.6
Where'd the 10.5 go you say? Well Apple is skipping it out to make this look like a bigger update, when really, it isn't. Set to include the leftovers of Tiger that were never completed on time, the current list of new features include...
A clone of Windows "Active Desktop".
A new dock.
"Dock Switch" - Ability to load multiple docks.
10.6 will be called "Mac OS Lion", because it is the last of the 10.x releases, and a Lion is the top cat. The first developer builds are currently estimated to arrive shortly before next years WWDC, with the GM in 2007 ready for an April 29th release again. Let's hope they don't force another $129.99 out of us...
Mac OS 11
Set to be the "real" next-generation OS from Apple. It will include several 3D features. Work on Mac OS 10.6 and Mac OS 11 are being done at the same time. Very little work has been done on this. At the moment, a few coded features include...
3D finder windows - They "flip" when you navigate.
A 3D dock.
G5-only support - All product lines (should) will be updated by then.
iWork '06
Apple is busy porting over old AppleWorks modules and improving them. Currently iDraw, iChart and iWord are being developed. A database module is currently last on Apple's list. iWork '06 will not be a free upgrade for iWork '05 users.
The forgotten iPod
Folks wishing on update iPod shuffles will be sad to hear that the Shuffle is known inside Apple as "the forgotten iPod". No one really cares about it, it was just a device to attract buyers to the Music Store and the Mac. But the other iPods, well that's a different story...
5th Generation iPods
Apple is phasing all Mono screened iPods for a complete Color lineup. Featuring a brand new interface deeply inspired from Mac OS's Aqua. Expected in 40GB+ capacity only. Your little iPod will now be able have...
A dock - featuring access to various "apps"
The iPod photo is being phased out for something a little "bigger"...
Apple "iPal"
Following on the "huge" success of the iPod photo, Apple is taking it to the next level. The iPod will only play music, so here comes the iPal. To be released in 3 specifications...
No camera (built-in card reader) - for use in camera-forbidden workplaces.
0.6MP camera.
1.2MP camera.
Using the same new interface as the iPod 5th Generation, but with an extra app in it's dock, iPhoto. iPhoto Mobile will let users navigate through the photos and view them, or take new ones. No editing features. Apple is working on making a "lite" OS X that will instantly load from the Flash RAM, but currently they're having problems. It will be available in silver.
Motorola "iPhone"
With the release of iTunes 4.8/5, along with the new features listed further up the page a few extra ones specifically for the Motorola "iPhone" will be added. One of the features, is the "Address Book Contact Sync". The code is currently embedded in iSync 2 in Tiger, but not usable. "ApplePhoneconduit.syndevice" is the name of the file, go look if you want. The delay in iTunes 4.8/5 is due to both the iPhone being late, and also a few problems with record companies in the new international stores.
Update Peripherals
Updated "Wireless Keyboards" and "Wireless Mouse", no not a 2-buttoned one! They just feature better battery support, which plague the current ones. Your meant to turn off your keyboard and mouse when you go away! To help the lazy people (myself included) Apple are adding a better AutoSleep that actually works. So you don't have to worry about new batterys every few days. The iSight 2, which will be released at WWDC (and given to all Keynote viewers) feature an upgraded camera designed to give you faster frame rates and support for Tigers h.264 codec. Also you can use it with QuickTime Streaming Server.
